Post-GE2011 thoughts.

Honestly I've never been so interested in local politics before, and elections have never been this competitive before. And I think this GE did Singapore alot of good.

For one, i see so many people being more interested in politics. I always feel that people are turned off by politics, but i never know the reason. The usual arguments are politics is boring, its not engaging, or that politics has nothing to do with their lives. wrong wrong wrong!

There's a stronger opposition (in general) this time round, quality wise they deserve credits. A-teams of different parties being send out to different constituencies to contest, people that not only have qualifications but also convictions. in other words, the right reason. I cannot stress how important it is to enter politics for the right reason. People say that politics is a gamble, thats pretty valid. WP gambled big, and they won big. Chiam gambled quite a bit too, but that didnt pay off as well as expected.

but the rules of the game is different. if politics is a gamble, then they are not gambling thousands of dollars, but rather thousands of the people's future, and also Singapore's future. It is not a bad thing, because this gamble may actually pay off. But like any high-return investments, the risks and stakes increase too. i really hope that whichever parties these politicians are affiliated to, they'll quickly reconcile the differences and be constructive and supportive, not only because they are elected, but because beneath all that differences we're all pro-Singapore. I really hope so.

And so like in any game there will be loser(s), and I'm still really really upset that GeorgeYeo will be leaving politics. Then there's the whole exchange TinPeiLing for GeorgeYeo thing. Iknow she carries KateSpade and maybe is not as mature as what people may expect, but I think we're all too quick to judge. myself included. I'm not pro-TPL or anything, but is it time to give her a chance to prove herself? Which brings me to my next point: judging.

I know alot of people are voting the opposition not because they are strong, but because they've lost faith in the government. While I dont necessarily agree with everything the PAP does/did, i do think that they are capable. not so empathetic maybe, but i dont doubt their contributions. same with the opposition. they have some pretty good suggestions, and i think they've been on the ground for a while to know the reality, but again i dont agree with everything they propose. But the point is, I feel that people are again too quick to judge, and they are not as rational. Having oppositions for the mere sake of having oppositions, will that be a good choice? will that lead to progress of any sort?

Too much comparison and generalisations have been made, but few take time to really know what they are talking about. Is like saying a party is bad not because of the policies they propose but based on impressions, sometimes secondhand impressions. This time round too many irrelavant attacks were fired, some personal one, and too much dramas were played up (think tears and apology). It've almost became a game of appearance, instead of solid capabilities of serving.

Really politics is more than just elections and campaigning, that is only the start, or the end, depending on how you see it. The real thing have just started, so much more sweat and sleep need to be sacrificed, so much more opinions and voices need to be heard, so much more pairs of hands are needed to help make this place home, so much more needs to be done. The fun part really, is not winning the election, but the pride of serving the people and the country.

I've been in other place long enough to know that what is offered here is what others may never get right or will take another decade or more to get, because of the culture, the politics, the mindset, the geography, and so much more. I'm always so proud to be a Singaporean (yes i am, not a ciizen or PR) because i know we have weathered so many storms just to get here. its no easy feat, and the future will be so much more exciting, more vibrant (politically too i hope!).

The political scene here is definitely changing, it has to change to be viable really, but i'm definitely excited for the future. taking up political science has got nothing to do with future job prospects or money, but rather its the only way i know to try make a difference in future. This GE may just be the national awakening we all needed, and as Aristotle suggested, we're all political animals, and everybody has got something to contribute to the good of society. I hope people have a change in attitude and mindset towards politics.

This is only a start, we're still a long way to a truly mature and democratic society. But this is a good start, and trust me, we will only move forward, never backwards.